Cubs Minor League Wrap: July 13

I did not hear of any last-minute draft signings today by the Cubs, nor did Baseball America. The Cubs did sign their first 20 draft picks. They are still free to negotiate with Austin Pentecost, a senior from Lewis and Clark College in Idaho.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs got all wet against the Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals), 4-3. It was the fifth consecutive one-run game between the two teams.

Brooks Raley started and got the loss, although he did pitch well. Raley went five innings and allowed two runs on six hits. Raley walked one and struck out four.

The Iowa Cubs trailed 4-1 in the ninth inning, but they loaded the bases after two were out. Shortstop Alfredo Amezaga hit a two-run single to get the tying run to third base, but a slicing fly ball off the bat of right fielder Dave Sappelt ended up in the right fielder's glove for the final out.

DH Welington Castillo was 3 for 4 with an RBI. Second baseman Adrian Cardenas was 2 for 3 with a double and a triple. He also walked once and scored the first Iowa run.

Third baseman Josh Vitters was 1 for 4, extending his hitting streak to 12 games. He had an RBI ground out.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies overthrew the Birmingham Barons (White Sox), 12-3.

Starter Eric Jokisch improved his record to 5-1 with five shutout innings, allowing only one hit. He did walk four and he struck out six.

Trey McNutt has been moved to the bullpen. He threw two shutout innings of relief tonight, giving up only one hit. He did not walk anyone and struck out two.

The Smokies had fourteen hits and drew eight walks tonight. Logan Watkins reached base five times, going 3 for 4 with two walks. Watkins scored three times and batted two runs in.

First baseman Justin Bour was 2 for 6 with a double and four runs batted in. He also scored once. Shortstop Junior Lake was 2 for 6 and scored twice.

Center fielder Jae-Hoon Ha went 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. He scored two runs and knocked home three. Right fielder Michael Burgess was 2 for 3 with a double and two walks. He had one RBI and one run scored.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs had a 7-0 lead after five innings, but the bullpen collapsed and the Cubs were embarrassed, 11-8 to the Palm Beach Cardinals.

Starter P.J. Francescon surely thought he had a "W" when he exited after five shutout innings. He allowed two hits. He did not walk anyone and struck out three.

Matt Spencer had his first major meltdown as a pitcher. He relieved Francescon on the sixth, faced five batters and they all reached base and they all eventually scored for five runs. Spencer allowed three hits and two walks.

Ryan Searle relieved Spencer and allowed one inherited runner to score and two more in the sixth inning to tie the score. He then started the seventh and allowed a lead-off single, that eventually came around to score and he took the loss. Searle's final line was 1+ innings pitched, allowing three runs on four hits. He neither walked nor struck anyone out.

Second baseman Rubi Silva went 3 for 6 with a triple. He scored once and had an RBI. Shortstop Ronald Torreyes was 2 for 6. He scored twice and had a run batted in. First baseman Rebel Ridling was 2 for 5 with two RBI. He also scored once.

Daytona was 3 for 14 with runners in scoring position tonight and left 13 runners on base.

Peoria Chiefs

The Peoria Chiefs slew the Dayton Dragons (Reds), 8-1.

Starter Joe Zeller pitched six innings without allowing a hit. The only two baserunners were a hit batter and a throwing error by Javier Baez, and Zeller erased that runner with a double play. Zeller struck out four. It was his first win of the season.

Perhaps St. George would have had an easier time slaying Dragons if he'd have used a knuckleball rather than a sword.

Catcher Chadd Krist was 2 for 4 with his first professional home run. It came with the bases loaded in the seventh inning. His other hit was a double. He had two RBI and he scored twice.

Seven of the other eight hitters in the Peoria lineup had one hit a piece. The other, Oliver Zapata, walked once.

Boise Hawks

The Boise Hawks were hosed by the Vancouver Canadians (Blue Jays), 7-4.

Starter Tayler Scott pitched the first four innings. He allowed two runs, one earned, on five hits. Scott walked two and struck out one.

Hayden Simpson took the loss in relief. He was strong for three innings, but allowed three runs in the eighth inning, two of which scored after he was relieved by Bryce Shafer. Simpson went 3.2 innings and allowed three runs, one earned, on six hits. He walked one and struck out four.

Second baseman Gioskar Amaya went 2 for 5 with his third home run of the season. It was a solo home run in the fifth inning. Amaya scored twice.

Left fielder Dong-Yub Kim went 2 for 4 and scored once. First baseman Rock Shoulders was 0 for 1 with three walks.

AZL Cubs

Beat the Rangers, 7-3.

Dan Vogelbach was 3 for 4 with two doubles and his sixth home run.